Podtacular at PAX

PAX Prime
I made the arrival into Seattle last night and met up with Nak3d Eli to start our PAX Prime 2012 extravaganza. As you know, with Halo 4 right around the corner, there is going to be a lot of Halo 4 news that is going to be released: some of which got released last night in the latest bulletin. I will be putting up vlogs and videos over the weekend and so will some of the other big Halo YouTubers. Make sure you check out my roomie for PAX, Nak3d Eli over at his YouTube channel, and the channels of Bravo and Greenskull as we’ll be doing a lot of cross vlogging and videos throughout the event.

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Pod TV News: Show 13


Along with the soundtrack info that we got, 343i also put the full list of achievements in their bulletin this week. In this video, we do a detailed breakdown of all the achievements so you know what to look for when the game comes.

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Pod TV News: Show 12


In the Halo Bulletin this week, 343i released details for the Halo 4 Official Soundtrack, along with some samples. Check out this video to get a quick overview of the special editions and what the soundtrack is all about, then tune in to episode 307 where we talk about it.

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Podtacular 307: Halo 4 Soundtrack and Achievements

Yesterday was a very special day: we got the announcement of the official soundtrack and the full achievements for Halo 4 on the bulletin. While the soundtrack certainly doesn’t have the classic Halo sound, it does provide a new experience: one that hopefully flows really well with the game. The achievements are mostly like you would expect, but there are some new ones that make sure you get the full Halo 4 experience. Enjoy

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“Halo 4” Original Soundtrack and Special Edition Remix Album Coming Oct.22

“Halo 4” Original Soundtrack and Special Edition Remix Album Coming Oct.22

In addition to the original soundtrack from famed composer/producer Neil Davidge, renowned electronica musicians DJ Skee, Sander Van Doorn, Apocalyptica, Hundred Waters and more contribute to first ever “Halo” Remix Album as part of a Special Limited Edition Box Set

 Microsoft and 343 Industries in conjunction with new soundtrack partner 7Hz Productions, today announced the “Halo 4” Original Soundtrack (OST) produced by composer Neil Davidge of Massive Attack fame will be available online and in stores on Oct.22. The “Halo 4” Original Soundtrack, featuring 15 tracks and over 75 minutes of unique music, marks the first time a new composer has taken the reins for the iconic series’ musical score since the launch of the original “Halo” game more than a decade ago.

The “Halo 4” individually numbered and limited Special Edition 2-Disc Box Set will consist of the “Halo 4” Remix Album, produced by Davidge in tandem with fourteen of the world’s most renowned electronica producers and artists, including DJ Skee, Sander Van Doorn, Gui Boratto, Caspa, Apocalyptica, Hundred Waters, and more. A first for the “Halo” franchise, the landmark remix project is a premier example of a video game drawing from the breadth and caliber of talent in the electronica music world, breaking new ground for the blockbuster franchise that has sold over 43 million game copies worldwide and generated nearly $3 billion in revenue.

“It was an honor to compose and produce the ‘Halo 4’ score,” said Davidge. “I am so proud of the way the OST has turned out and to have had the opportunity to evolve the great legacy of ‘Halo’ music. To be able to then collaborate with these talented DJ’s and musicians on various remixes was a real bonus as it is always fun and interesting to see how others interpret and reimagine what you have created.”

Pushing the musical envelope, Davidge and his production company enlisted popular electronica producers DJ Skee, Caspa, Sander Van Doorn & Julian Jordan, Gui Boratto, KOAN Sound, Matt Lange, Andrew Bayer, Norin & Rad, Alvin Risk, Bobby Tank, Maor Levi and Hundred Waters, in addition to rock maestros Apocalyptica and ex-Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, to create a 14-track remix disk based on the Original Soundtrack (samples available on Halo Waypoint). When approached to work with Davidge, these artists not only took his work on the “Halo 4” score and shaped it into their own unique sound, but kept true to the roots and feel of the “Halo” franchise.

“I have been a fan of ‘Halo’ since day one, and when I heard Neil’s epic compositions for ‘Halo 4’ I was blown away,” said DJ Skee. “When we got the opportunity to remix and add our style, I wanted to create something just as epic that could stand alongside both the original composition and ‘Halo 4’ itself.”

A summary of the “Halo 4” soundtrack offerings is as follows:

“Halo 4” Original Soundtrack (available in physical CD and digital formats)

  • Available for standalone purchase of $13.98 (U.S. ERP), the “Halo 4” Original Soundtrack features 15 themes from award-winning producer Neil Davidge, co-writer and producer of the pioneering trip hop group Massive Attack. This marks the first time a new composer has taken the reins for the iconic series’ musical score since the launch of the original “Halo” game more than a decade ago.
  • Working in collaboration with 343 Industries, Davidge and his production team enlisted a 16-person hand-picked male tenor / bass choir plus 10 females from the London Bulgarian Choir, a full 50 piece orchestra and a whole host of other performers to bring the music of “Halo 4” to life through a massive production effort on par with a major Hollywood blockbuster.
  • In addition, “Halo” fans who purchase a physical copy of the Original Soundtrack will receive a free download voucher for three exclusive remix tracks and three additional Davidge tracks not included on the soundtrack but featured in the “Halo 4” game. These game pieces will not be available on any other platform other than through the physical CD purchase.

“Halo 4” Original Soundtrack List and Titles (CD & Digital):

  1. Awakening
  2. Belly Of The Beast
  3. Requiem
  4. Legacy
  5. Faithless
  6. Nemesis
  7. Haven
  8. Ascendancy
  9. Solace
  10. To Galaxy
  11. Immaterial
  12. 117
  13. Arrival
  14. Revival
  15. Green And Blue

“Halo 4” Special Digital Original Soundtrack

  • The Special Digital Original Soundtrack features the full content of the Original Soundtrack, a digital booklet, as well as six bonus remix tracks composed by renowned producer Neil Davidge and remixed as follows: “To Galaxy (Sander Van Doorn & Julian Jordan Remix),”  “Awakening (Gui Boratto Remix),” “Revival (DJ Skee & THX Remix),” “Ascendancy (Caspa Remix),” “Requiem (Bobby Tank Remix) and “The Beauty of Cortana (Apocalyptica vs. Neil Davidge Remix).”

 “Halo 4” Special Edition 2-Disc Box Set

  • Available for preorder today for $75 (U.S. ERP), the “Halo 4” Special Edition 2-Disc Box Set  includes:
    • “Halo 4” Original Soundtrack
    • “Halo 4” 14-track remix album
    • Exclusive “Making of ‘Halo 4’ Music” DVD containing over 70 minutes of unique behind the scenes footage, interviews and recording sessions from Abbey Road
    • Exclusive hardcoverbook on the “Making of ‘Halo 4’ Music” featuring production and composition notes from Neil Davidge plus exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and exclusive artwork images
    • Exclusive 12” Neil Davidge signed art print
    • Exclusive 180g heavy weight 12” Vinyl Full color Picture Disk of Master Chief and Cortana in a uniquely designed Sleeve bag
    • Exclusive Avatar T-Shirt download (Male & Female)
    • The first 5000 orders will all be individually numbered in a limited series and personalized by Neil Davidge
    • Preorder at: http://halowaypoint.com/halo4soundtrack

“Halo 4” Remix Album Track List and Titles:

  1. Awakening – Gui Boratto Remix
  2. Green And Blue – KOAN Sound Remix
  3. Requiem – Bobby Tank Remix
  4. Ascendancy – Caspa Remix
  5. To Galaxy – Sander Van Doorn & Julian Jordan Remix
  6. Haven – Hundred Waters Remix
  7. Revival – DJ Skee & THX Remix
  8. Ascendancy – Matt Lange Remix
  9. Nemesis – Alvin Risk Remix
  10. Solace – Maor Levi Remix
  11. Arrival – Norin & Rad Remix
  12. Green And Blue – Andrew Bayer Remix
  13. Foreshadow – James Iha Remix
  14. The Beauty Of Cortana – Apocalyptica vs. Neil Davidge Remix

All Soundtrack formats will be released by Microsoft’s new soundtrack partner, 7Hz Productions and affiliates: Friday October 19th, Australia & New Zealand (7Hz / Sony Music); Monday October 22nd UK & Eire, Europe & Japan (Essential), USA & Canada, South America (The End/RED).

Launching worldwide exclusively on Xbox 360 Nov.6, 2012, “Halo 4” is the next blockbuster installment of the iconic franchise that has shaped entertainment history and defined a generation of gamers. Developed by 343 Industries, “Halo 4” continues the story of the series’ iconic hero the Master Chief as he returns to confront his destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. “Halo 4” takes the series in a bold new direction by delivering its most epic and explorative campaign yet, alongside an emotionally resonant story and a groundbreaking multiplayer offering unlike anything before it – setting the stage for an epic new sci-fi saga.

 The standard edition of “Halo 4” will be available for $59.99 (U.S. ERP), and the Limited Edition, which includes an extended 90-minute version of the live-action digital series “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” and additional bonus content, will be available for $99.99 (U.S. ERP). Fans can also pick up the Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo 4” Console Bundle for $399.99 (U.S. ERP) and a standalone Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo 4” Wireless Controller for $59.99 (U.S. EPR).

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Podtacular 306: Hands-on Multiplayer

We’ve all seen the multiplayer footage from E3, Comic Con and RTX, but few have actually played the game and experienced it for themselves. That is where our two guests come into play: Nak3d Eli and Bravo. They give us a rundown on how Halo 4 plays compared to past Halo games and what you can come to expect if you have the chance to go to PAX, which is only two weeks away. Enjoy

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Podtacular 305: Halo 4 Specializations

The newest feature revealed for Halo 4 is the Specializations. In this week’s bulletin, 343i gave us an overview of each specialization we will be able to enroll in after reaching level 50 in your exp-based rank. The specializations provide even more ways to tailor the Halo 4 sandbox to your play style and give you that little edge that will help you perform on the battlefield. Jules from Halo Unity joins us to talk about everything in the bulletin. Enjoy

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